Education Programs

Asia Society has two primary education objectives: one focuses on teaching and learning about Asia; and the other on expanding our nation's investments in international studies at the elementary and secondary school levels.

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Teaching and Learning about Asia | International Studies Focus | Frequently Asked Questions

Teaching and Learning about Asia
Asia Society offers a suite of programs and services for teachers and students on the thirty-plus countries that comprise the Asia-Pacific region.

TeachAsia
Curriculum and Teacher Professional Development From graduate-level courses to afternoon workshops, Asia Society provides teachers with content knowledge and curriculum resources on topics such as Islam in Asia, India: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, Social Issues in Today's Asia and much more.

AskAsia.org
Website for Teachers and Students AskAsia.org features teacher and student material, from scholarly essays to lesson plans to interactive games, whose topics range from the beginnings of civilization to current events in Asia.

Arts Education Programs
Through tours, school-based programming, student art exhibitions as well as on-line resources, Asia Society offers many exciting programs for elementary and secondary schools.

International Studies Secondary Schools' Network
Sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Asia Society is creating a series of public schools focused on Asia and international studies in economically disadvantaged districts throughout the United States.

Asia Exchange Programs
The Education Programs have sponsored many international exchanges over the years, helping students, teachers and policymakers connect on issues that matter most to them. Our current programs focus on US-China exchanges and a Fulbright-Hays teacher research trip to Central Asia.

International Studies Focus
Asia Society is working to expand our nation's investments in international studies by stimulating teaching and learning about world history, languages, cultures and current affairs in American schools. The initiative is building needed connections among schools, higher education institutions, policy and business leaders, the media and communities to ensure every American student has the knowledge and skills they need about Asia to succeed in the interconnected world of the 21st Century.

National Coalition
A broad-based leadership group that champions effective and sustainable Asia and international studies programs and policies.

States Network
With a common goal of ensuring their students succeed in a knowledge economy, twenty states work together to create supportive policies and share best practices on Asia and international studies.

Prizes for Excellence in International Education
The Goldman Sachs Foundation-sponsored program that gives broad recognition to schools (elementary to higher education), states and technology programs that exemplify excellence in international studies.

Publications and Products
Videos, curriculum materials and policy briefs: see the latest publications from Asia Society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are international studies?
International studies, as used here, refer to the study of the geography, history, economics, culture and languages of other world regions. These studies must be integrated throughout K-12 education, both during the regular school day and in afterschool and more informal educational settings.

Why does it matter at the elementary and secondary school levels?
International studies no longer are the domain of elite college bound students; knowledge of the world is a new basic for everyone. All American students must be given the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a global marketplace. No matter what field-business, governance, science or the arts--having a knowledgeable workforce will ensure the United States remain a world leader in the 21st Century.

Why Asia Society?
Asia Society has for decades been an advocate for education about Asia and has produced many award-winning classroom resources and teacher professional development programs.

In 2001, the Society released a landmark report, Asia in the Schools: Preparing Young Americans for Today's Interconnected World. The study showed that vast numbers of young Americans remain dangerously uninformed about Asia and international matters. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, these findings stood in sharp contrast to the realities of our increasingly interconnected world.

To help close the "international knowledge gap" the Society is developing public and private sector alliances that focus on long-term solutions. Asia Society spearheads a series of programs that bring together a broad range of stakeholders who are committed to closing the gap and creating a new vision for students' 21st Century skills in schools across the United States.

What can I do?
To learn more about our programs and to get involved, please visit InternationalEd.org.